Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing. ~Wernher Von Braun
8th Grade Science
The North Carolina Standard Course of Study for 8th Grade Science focuses on natural and technological systems. The goals of eight grade science presented in the NCSCOS build on the concepts learned from kindergarten through 7th grade. All goals are focused on the concepts of science defined by the National Science Education Standards. The skills of inquiry and technology design should be mastered and are targeted this way in the science standards. Eight grade level sciences build on the understanding of scientific analysis, man-made technologies, hydrosphere, and chemistry, as well as, organisms and landforms, cell theory and micro organisms. The North Carolina Standard Course of Study presents seven goals which should be taught and implement throughout 8th grade science. NCSCOS
Goal 1: Understanding of Scientific Analysis Student will create questions and hypothesis through scientific study.
Student will understand appropriate experimental procedures through questioning.
Students will know safety procedures in a lab and understand materials used in a lab setting.
Students will understand scientific variables such as independent and dependent variables, controls, and their relationships.
Students will learn to analyze and understand observations and predictions.
Students will understand how to use mathematics to gather information and data as well as use models to understand data.
Students will know how to tell others through verbal and written answers about their findings in a scientific investigation.
Students should understand how to use technology to research and gather information.
Students should know how to evaluate scientific findings through texts or articles.
Goal 2: Understand Technological Man- Made Objects Students will understand that technology has many definitions through investigation.
Students will understand issues that can be solved or helped with technology.
Students will understand the use of technology in science as well as benefits and risks.
Students will understand technology to understand the products, processes, and systems of man-made objects of technology.
Goal 3: Understanding the Hydrosphere Students will understand the properties and functions of water.
Students should be able to explain water structures and water distribution on earth.
Students should understand the life sources and important features that the oceans hold.
Students will understand how water and land food webs are connected.
Students should be able to evaluate water sources over time to be able to predict water health and understand how we affect water quality.
Goal 4: Understanding of Chemistry Students should understand elements and naturally occurring substances are chemicals which sometimes combine to account for all non-living and living things.
Students should understand the periodic table and its meaning.
Students should understand characteristics of elements as well as measurement techniques.
Students should understand the laws of matter and chemicals that contribute to human health problems.
Students will understand the effect of certain chemicals on living organisms, including risks and benefits. Goal 5: Understanding Organisms and Landforms Students will understand how rocks, fossils, and ice cores show earth’s geological history and evolution.
Students should understand the impact of geological evolution on living things and events.
Students should analyze pictures from space to see the geography of earth as well as maps to analyze land use. Goal 6: Understanding Cell Theory Students should understand all organisms are made up of cells as well as cellular structure.
Students should understand the components and functions of animal cells.
Students will understand difference protists and their functions.
Students should understand that animal cells complete functions to sustain life.
Goal 7: Understand Micro Organisms Students should understand micro organisms by their size, structure, and living.
Students should understand diseases that are caused by micro organisms such as viruses and bacteria.
Students should understand how diseases are spread and treatments.
Students should investigate technological advances in genetics as well as ethical issues and benefits.
Additional Recourses YouTube Video based on Goal 4: Understand physical properties and laws of conservation of matter
YouTube Video based on Goal 3: Understanding water it its properties
Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing. ~Wernher Von Braun
8th Grade Science
The North Carolina Standard Course of Study for 8th Grade Science focuses on natural and technological systems. The goals of eight grade science presented in the NCSCOS build on the concepts learned from kindergarten through 7th grade. All goals are focused on the concepts of science defined by the National Science Education Standards. The skills of inquiry and technology design should be mastered and are targeted this way in the science standards. Eight grade level sciences build on the understanding of scientific analysis, man-made technologies, hydrosphere, and chemistry, as well as, organisms and landforms, cell theory and micro organisms. The North Carolina Standard Course of Study presents seven goals which should be taught and implement throughout 8th grade science. NCSCOS
Goal 1: Understanding of Scientific Analysis
Student will create questions and hypothesis through scientific study.
Student will understand appropriate experimental procedures through questioning.
Students will know safety procedures in a lab and understand materials used in a lab setting.
Students will understand scientific variables such as independent and dependent variables, controls, and their relationships.
Students will learn to analyze and understand observations and predictions.
Students will understand how to use mathematics to gather information and data as well as use models to understand data.
Students will know how to tell others through verbal and written answers about their findings in a scientific investigation.
Students should understand how to use technology to research and gather information.
Students should know how to evaluate scientific findings through texts or articles.
Goal 2: Understand Technological Man- Made Objects
Students will understand that technology has many definitions through investigation.
Students will understand issues that can be solved or helped with technology.
Students will understand the use of technology in science as well as benefits and risks.
Students will understand technology to understand the products, processes, and systems of man-made objects of technology.
Students will understand the properties and functions of water.
Students should be able to explain water structures and water distribution on earth.
Students should understand the life sources and important features that the oceans hold.
Students will understand how water and land food webs are connected.
Students should be able to evaluate water sources over time to be able to predict water health and understand how we affect water quality.
Goal 4: Understanding of Chemistry
Students should understand elements and naturally occurring substances are chemicals which sometimes combine to account for all non-living and living things.
Students should understand the periodic table and its meaning.
Students should understand characteristics of elements as well as measurement techniques.
Students should understand the laws of matter and chemicals that contribute to human health problems.
Students will understand the effect of certain chemicals on living organisms, including risks and benefits.
Goal 5: Understanding Organisms and Landforms
Students will understand how rocks, fossils, and ice cores show earth’s geological history and evolution.
Students should understand the impact of geological evolution on living things and events.
Students should analyze pictures from space to see the geography of earth as well as maps to analyze land use.
Students should understand all organisms are made up of cells as well as cellular structure.
Students should understand the components and functions of animal cells.
Students will understand difference protists and their functions.
Students should understand that animal cells complete functions to sustain life.
Goal 7: Understand Micro Organisms
Students should understand micro organisms by their size, structure, and living.
Students should understand diseases that are caused by micro organisms such as viruses and bacteria.
Students should understand how diseases are spread and treatments.
Students should investigate technological advances in genetics as well as ethical issues and benefits.
Additional Recourses
YouTube Video based on Goal 4: Understand physical properties and laws of conservation of matter
YouTube Video based on Goal 3: Understanding water it its properties
Link to the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Science Home Page
6th Grade
7th Grade